Liquid applicator



Aug. 23, 1960 F. CLEMENT ETAL LIQUID APPLICATOR INVENTORS. '5N/v @FME/vr Filed Dec. ll, 1957 .llvrnlfar ATTORNEYS.

LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed Dec. 11, 1957, Ser. No. 702,186

`1'4 Claims. (Cl. 15-13'3) This invention relates to liquid 4applicators and more particularly to an applicator for applying thin lms of liquid to a surface. The applicator is especially suited for applying liquid deodorants, suntan oils, insect repellents, liquid soaps and detergents, perfumes, astringents, depilatories and other liquid products to the human skin.

Liquid applicators found in the prior art may be classified into two basic types. Each of these has several disadvantages. The `rst type is the so-called .ball or roll-on applicator which provides a rotatable ball retained near the opening of a liquid container. The liquid product clings to the lower surface of the ball and is applied to an external surface by rolling .the ball thereover. Such .applicators are deficient in two respects. First of all, they must be inverted frequently in order to apply additional liquid to the ball. Secondly, the amount of liquid that can be y'applied to the surface at any given time is limited to the liquid clinging to the ball after each inversion. The other basic applicator type is characterized by a device having a sponge or fabric covering including means to feed liquid to the sponge or fabric. Most of these devices require inversion of the container in order to saturate the sponge or fabric material which is a .basic deficiency. In addition, it has been found that certain kinds of sponge material are particularly undesirable when using the device for `applying deodorants or other perfumed liquids because the sponge tends to contaminate or absorb perfume. Additionally, Sponges are susceptible to discoloration and deterioration after prolonged use and/or storage. The use of a fabric covered applicator is undesirable due to its limited absorptive capacity plus the fact that fabrics have a relatively rough feel when applied and rubbed over a sensitive skin area.

It is a principal object of this invention lto overcome the various objections found in other types of liquid applicators as mentioned heretofore.

Another object of this invention is the provision of -a liquid applicator .adapated for the smooth, non-irritating `dist-ribution of liquids to a sensitive surface such as the human skin.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a self priming liquid applicator which does not require inversion of the container `as the liquid product is applied.

A further object of this invention-is a liquid applicator oft he character described which is automatically primed and ready for use when assembled.

Still a further object of .this invention is the provision of a liquid applicator which may be constructed of materials that do not contaminate and absorb the characteristie scent of perfumed liquids.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, an adapter member. having a dispensing reservoir of variable volume is attached .to a container. A draft tube provides communication between the container yand the dispensing reservoir. A iiexible dia- Stataes Patent ice phragm with openings therein forms one side of the dispensing reservoir. The device is adapted to dispense liquid through the openings in the diaphragm when the diaphragm is deflected. This may be done as it is rubbed over a surface. If the opening or openings in .the diaphragm are held closed while it is deected, some of the air trapped in the reservoir is forced down into the container causing additional liquid to ilow up through the draft tube `and into the reservoir after one of the openings is uncovered. Thus, .the applicator is self priming when in use.

While the specification concludes with claimsrparticularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of `the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood yfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure `l is -an elevation of a typical container and cap which can be employed in using the liquid applicator; and

Figure 2 is a partial cross-section along the line 2 2 of Figure l showing the container, liquid applicator and cap; and

Figure 3 is an exploded view, partially in section, showing the cap removed from `the container; and

Figure 4 is a plan View of the liquid applicator and container taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 3; and

.Figure 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 4 showing the liquid ,applicator assembled in the container neck; and

Figure `6 is an elevation of the ing the vent channel in detail; and

Figure 7 is a cross-section of a structure that can be employed; and

Figure 8 is a cross-section of the liquid applicator structure having its parts molded and assembled in a modified fashion; and

Figure 9 is a cross-section of tor having no draft tube; and

Figure 10 diagrammatically shows an -apparatus particularly adapted for assembling .the liquid applicator of Figures l-7 and 9.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly Figures l-S there is shown a container 15 having a threaded neck 16 `and an opening 17. The container `15 may be .glass or any material `that is compatible with Ithe liquid stored therein. A cap .18 is provided with internal .threads 19 adapted to engage the threaded neck 16.

The liquid applicator comprises an Aadapter member 20 having a'relatively rigid transverse 'wall 211 with an integral annular wall 22 depending therefrom. The outer surface of the annular Iwall 22 is adapted to fit snugly into the opening 17 of the container .15. The transverse wall 2.1 is provided with an aperture A23 having a `draft tube 24 fitting snugly therein. The draft .tube may be hea-t sealed in the aperture 23 although a snug interference fit will be satisfactory forvmost purposes. The draft tube 24 extends substantially to the bottom of the container 1 A resilient applicator diaphragm 25 has at least one relatively small opening 26 and -an annular extension 27 depending therefrom. The shape of the diaphragm 25 is substantiallyhemispherical although it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to this precise shape.V In fact, a somewhat attened hemisphere which bears a resemblance to a watch glass is preferred as illustrated in .the drawing. The Vannular wall 22 of the adapter member 20 is provided With'a narrow annular slot 28 which is adapted to receive the annular extension 27. The slot 28 is designed tot-wedge and-.grip the annular extension in assembled relation when, the adapter member 20 is assembled into the opening 1-7 Vo t the container 15. e A vent channel v29 (see also Figure adapter member showmodied diaphragm a modified liquid applica- 6) may also be providedin the annular wall 22 for reasons which will hereinafter be evident.

The volume bounded by the top surface of the transverse wall 21 and below the diaphragm 25 comprises a liquid reservoir 30. The maximum volume of the reservoir 30 must |be greater than the volume of the bore in the draft tube 24 in order to obtain satisfactory results. lf these volumes are nearly equal, then poor performance will result. The device is inoperative when the volume of the reservoir is less than the volume of the bore in the draft tube.-

The adapter member and the diaphragm 25 may be molded from typical inert plastic materials such as polyethylene, for example. Other materials can also be used where they are compatible with the liquid being handled. The use of a molded polyethylene diaphragm affords a smooth outerapplicator surface which does not irritate even the most sensitive of human skin.

The cap 18 is hollowed out as at 31 in order to clear the top of the diaphragm 25 when it is screwed to the container 15. The annular sealing surface 32 bears against the outer edge of the transverse wall 21 and provides a tight liquid and vapor seal when the cap is screwed snugly in place. In some cases it may be desirable to mold the cap to provide a depending boss from the hollowed out portion 31 to fit snugly over the openings 26 when the' cap is secured to the container. This can be done, of course, by merely modifying the cap structure.

In assembling the applicator to a container, the annular wall 22 is pressed into the opening 17 causing compression of the air confined in the space 34 above the liquid in vthe container. As the adapter member 20 is forced downwardly into the opening, the air trapped in the `space 34 forces liquid up through the draft tube 24 and into the reservoir lso that the reservoir is iilled when the adapter member 20 is assembled to the container. I t has been found that an air bubble tends to form and remain in the upper portion of the liquid reservoir 30. If, `on assembly, the reservoir 30 is cornpletely lled With liquidfthe air bubble will form after the diaphragm 25 is deflected one or more times. The primed .applicator may be used immediately. Alternatively, the cap 118 may be screwed on the primed applicator and the applicator shipped and/or stored until needed. The applicator remains primed whether used immediately or after a period of storage.

Liquid can be Iapplied by merely rubbing the diaphragm 25 o ver the skin Yorother surface. There is no need to invert the container. As the diaphragm is rubbed over the surface, some of the liquid in the reservoir 30, is forced through the openings 26 because of the downward deection of the diaphragm -25 as it is rubbed. Liquid is applied in this manner and its application may continue indefinitely. As the liquid is discharged and applied through the openings 26, additional liquid is pumped from the container up through the draft tube-24 and into the liquid reservoir 30 each time the depressed diaphragm 25 is released-permitting it to restore itself to its original shape. Downward deection of the diaphragm causes compression of thebubble 35 (if the opening or openings 26 are held closed) and forces portionsof it (in the form of small bubbles) down the draft tube 24 where these portions rise into the air space 34. When the diaphragm 25, is released, liquid is forced up the draft tube 24 and into the reservoir 30 due to the pressureincrease inthe air space 34. This makes additional liquid-available for application Aas the diaphragm is rubbed over a surface. Thus, additional liquid is constantly being supplied to the reservoir 30 `as the liquid is being applied through the openings 26. When the diaphragm 25 is completely released after deection, it yquickly restores itselfto its V.original shape so that additional air is drawninto the reservoir 30 through the openings 26 to enlarge the air bubble 35. Some of the air (in the air bubble 35) is then forced out through the openings 26 as the air pressure in the space 34 tends to force additional liquid up the draft tube 24 until a condition of equilibrium is achieved. In -this connection, it has been found that the provision of two or more equally spaced radial ribs 36, as shown in Figure 7, tends to make t-he diaphragm 25 restore itself to its original shape more quickly.

Additional liquid may be pumped into the reservoir in this same manner, i.e., without using the device for applying a liquid film to a surface. This can be accomplished by merely placing the end of the iinger or any object over the openings 26 and depressing and releasing the diaphragm 25 one or more times. With each deflection of the diaphragm 25, the air in the bubble 35 will be compressed and a portion of it (in the form of small bubbles) will be forced down the draft tube 24 to rise into the air space 34 so that additional liquid will be forced up the draft tube 24 and into the reservoir 30 each time the diaphragm `25 is released.

The air bubble 35 serves the additional function of preventing liquid overflow due to barometric pressure changes and/or temperature variations.

The length of the annular wall 22 may be such that an excessive quantity of liquid is forced up the draft tube 24 and into the liquid reservoir 30 when the adapter member l20 is assembled to the container. The regulating vent channel 29 is provided in order to reduce the quantity of liquid forced linto the liquid reservoir 30 on assembly. The amount of liquid forced up the draft tube 24 and into the reservoir 30 can be varied by changing the length of the vent channel 29 for a given size of ladapter 20. For example, if the vent channel is as long Yas `the annular wall 22 no liquid will be forced into the liquid-reservoir 30 since the air which is displaced on insertion of the adapter member into the space 34 will all V.escape through the vent channel 29 when the device is assembled. Thus, by simple experiment, the optimum length of vent channel 29 can be found which will force the desired amountof liquid up the draft tube 24 into the reservoir 30 when the adapter member 20 is assembled to the container `15.

The openings 26 in Figure 4 can bereplaced by a single circula-r opening or openings of any shape or any number of openings found desirable. Preferably, the openings kare relatively' smallto prevent the application of excessive quantities of liquid from the reservoir. One or morepslit type openings may also be substituted. A slit typeopening in the nature of the Well known Bunsen valve is a typical example of a slit opening that can be employed. The slit opening may be advantageous where a relatively volatile liquid is stored in the reservoir 30 since itinhibits air circulation.

A modified applicator structure which can be made with present day plastic molding techniques is shown in Figure '8. The applicator is essentially equivalent after assembly but the diaphragm 37 lis molded integrally with the annular wall 38 with an internal opening as at 39. The central portions@ is used to form the transverse wall. It `is vseparately molded with an aperture 41 and an outer edge 42 which fits snugly into the opening 39. The two pieces are *assembled by pressing the central transverse `wall portion k4tl-into the opening 39 to the position shown in thedrawing so that the assembled structure has the same general conformation as the structure of Figure 5. i

Still arfurther modification is shown in Figure 9. lIn this modification the draft tube has been eliminated and replaced by a check valve. The Aadapter member 43 4comprises the transverse wall `44 .with a depending annular wall 45. The diaphragm 46 having `an integral annular extension 47 fits intoga slot 48 extending into the annular wall 45. A check valve 49 hinged at 51 has a weight S2 suspended by means of a cord 53'. The Weight 52 tends to keep the valve 49 shut when the adapter is in its upright position. The reservoir 54 is primed by inverting the container with the adapter attached so that liquid flows past the valve 49 and into the reservoir 54 since the Weight 52 has no eifect on the valve 49 when the container and adapter are inverted. After lling the reservoir 54, the container is returned to its normal position where the weight 52 holds the valve 49 closed thus trapping the liquid in the reservoir 54 and allowing the liquid to be dispensed through the openings 55 when `the diaphragm 46 is rubbed over a surface. This embodiment is self priming when inverted as the reservoir can be refilled by merely inverting the container.

Figure shows a means for assembling the applicator described and shown in Figures 1 7 and 9. The diaphragm 25 is fed by means of a tube 56 to the top of the adapter member 20 held in a fixture 57. The diaphragm 2S is fed so that its annular extension 27 is in substantial alignment with the slot 28. The fixture 57 is provided with an aperture 58 and a conduit 59` which is connected to -a vacuum pump or the like. The vacuum applied through the conduit 59 reduces the pressure on the underside of the diaphragm 25 which causes the annular extension 27 to slide into engagement with the slot 28 .thereby completing the assembly. Assembly in this manner takes very little time and permits rapid and high rates of production. This method produces satisfactory results regardless of Whether the openings 26 have already been made in the diaphragm 25. In assembling diaphragms having openings 26 the only added requirement is the need for slightly greater vacuum capacity in the vacuum creating source connected to the conduit 59. In addition, the adapter member 20 and the diaphragm 25 can be assembled by means of a conventional mechanical punch whereby the annular extension 27 is forced into the slot 28 by well known means.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modiications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A liquid applicator comprising an adapter member having a relatively rigid transverse wall with an annular wall depending therefrom, said annular Wall being snugly fitted into the opening of a container having liquid therein, a resilient, substantially hemispherical applicator diaphragm the lower end of which is in the form of an annular extension fitted into a narrow annular slot in said annular wall so that the transverse wall closes olf the diaphragm to form a liquid reservoir, at least one relatively small discharge opening in the surface of said diaphragm, a draft tube depending from an aperture in said transverse wall and extending into the container whereby rubbing said diaphragm over a surface in upright `fashion causes liquid to flow through at least one opening in the diaphragm and forces additional liquid from the container through the draft tube and into the reservoir.

2. A liquid applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein a recessed vent channel is provided in the outer surface of the annular wall of said adapter member in order to limit the amount of liquid forced up the draft tube and into the reservoir when the adapter member and container are assembled.

3. A liquid applicator comprising the combination of a container having liquid therein, an opening in said container, an adapter member fitted to said opening, said adapter member having a transverse wall portion with an aperture therein, a draft tube itted to said aperture and extending downwardly into said liquid in said container, a substantially hemispherical applicator diaphragm attached to said transverse wall to form a liquid reservoir and at least one relatively small opening in said diaphragm whereby rubbing said diaphragm over a surface while said container is in upright condition causes outilow of liquid through the opening in said diaphragm and forces additional liquid from the container through the draft tube and into the reservoir.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said diaphragm 4has an annular extension tted into a narrow annular slot in said adapter member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said adapter member includes a wall -depending from said transverse wall, said depending wall having a vent channel in its outer surface in order to regulate the amount of liquid forced into the reservoir when the adapter member and the container are assembled.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said diaphragm has at least two internal spaced radial ribs which act to restore the diaphragm to its original shape more quickly after each dellection thereof.

7. A liquid applicator comprising the combination of a container having liquid therein, said container having an opening, an adapter member fitted to said opening, said adatper member having a transverse wall portion with an aperture therein, a substantially hemispherical applicator diaphragm attached lto said transverse wall to form a liquid reservoir, means for establishing ow of liquid from said container into said reservoir, at least one relatively small opening in said diaphragm whereby rubbing said diaphragm over a surface while said container is in upright condition causes outow of liquid through the opening inthe diaphragm.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said diaphragm has an annular extension fitted into a narrow annular slot in said adapter member.

9. A liquid applicator comprising a container having liquid therein, an adapter member secured to said container, said adapter member having a Wall with an aperture therein, a draft tube depending from said aperture into said container, a resilient, substantially hemispherical diaphragm attached to said adapter to deline a liquid reservoir between said diaphragm and said adapter and at least one relatively small opening in said diaphragm whereby rubbing said diaphragm over a sur-face while said container is in upright position causes outflow of liquid through the opening in the diaphragm and forces additional liquid from the container through the draft tube and into the reservoir.

10. A liquid applicator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said diaphragm has an yannular extension fitted into a narrow annular slot in said adapter member.

ll. A liquid applicator as claimed in claim 9 including a vent channel in the side face of said adapter member for limiting the Iamount of liquid forced into the reservoir when the adapter member and the container are assembled.

l2. A liquid applicator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said diaphragm has at least two internal, spaced radial ribs which act to restore the diaphragm to its original shape more quickly after each deflection thereof.

13. A liquid applicator comprising the combination of a container having liquid therein, lan opening in said container, an adapter member having a rigid transverse wall, an annular wall depending from said transverse wall, said annular wall being snugly tted into the opening in said container, a substantially hemispherical applicator diaphragm having at least one relatively small opening in its surface and including an annular extension tted into a narrow annular slot extending into said annular wall of said adapter member, the space between the top of said transverse W-all and said diaphragm defining a liquid reservoir, a draft tube depending from an aperture in said transverse Wall and extending into the container, the

volume of said draft tube being less than the volume o'fl said liquid reservoir whereby rubbing said Adiaphrag'rr'i oyer a surface while said container is in upright condition `causes outflow of liquid through the opening in said diaphragm and forces additional liquid from the container into the reservoir.

14. A liquid applicator comprising a liquid container, an adapter member secured to said container, said adaptor member having a transverse wall with an aperture therein, -a check valve in said aperture, `a resilient, substantially hemispherical diaphragm attached to said adaptor to define a lliquid reservoir between said diaphragm and said transverse wall and at least one relatively small opening in said diaphragm to permit utflow of liquid from said reservoir when said diaphragm is rubbed over a surface. i

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITEn sTATEs PATENTS Schaefer et al. Nov. 8, Winkelmiller Mar. 13, rBurner J-an. 31, Keilly Sept. 8, Gunn Oct. 5, Tilley Oct. 12, Ritz Oct. 22, Chambers Feb. 16, Lindblad Oct. 8, Royall Feb. 16, 

